Top pick: #6 (DARK CHEETAH) - Veteran has carved out a nice career (34-5-8-3) and he's done so by being lightly raced and carefully spotted (like today). Two of his six wins are on this surface and he's training superbly at the Palm Meadows center for his first race in just over two months. I like him to win.
2nd pick: #8 (Diamond Isle) - The barnmate of the top choice, but they'll race un-coupled. He had a very light 2008 (4-1-1-0), but finished a strong second here just four days ago going seven furlongs. Trainer (Richard Dutrow Jr.) has had great success with this quick turn-around in the past. Dangerous if he goes.
3rd pick: #2 (Black Spot) - Consistent runner from the barn of Eddie Plesa. He and our foourth selection have traded decisions in there last pair and he gets a slight edge over that rival by having won on this course in the past.